Atherstone 'riding to the rescue' again for Ball Game steward Martyn Kellegher-Burton

CYCLING MARATHON SETS WHEELS IN MOTION FOR ANOTHER FUNDRAISING FEAT AS LONG-SERVING EVENT OFFICIAL CONTINUES HIS ROAD TO RECOVERY

£5,000 FROM INITIAL JUSTGIVING PAGE HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO SUPPORT FAMILY

ATHERSTONE is rallying again to help the family of beleaguered Ball Game steward Martyn Kellegher-Burton as he continues his recovery from a life-changing episode at the Shrovetide event.

TNT shunter David Wardle is literally setting the wheels in motion for an August bank holiday charitable challenge in Scotland.

He plans to visit some "must see places" and anywhere that "takes his fancy" on a cycling marathon around the north coast, the Highlands and the Isle of Skye.

He has launched a Facebook fundraising page to bring in more financial support for Mr Kellegher-Brown's wife and two children.

The 38-year-old marshal remains in hospital six months after suffering cardiac episodes an hour into the February 25 event.

He was taken ill as he went to get a glass of water at Atherstone Conservative Club on the corner of Woolpack Way and Long Street.

The klaxon that normally signals a winning team at the 821-year-old event tolled for an entirely different reason – with organisers taking an immediate decision to call the game off.

Mr Wardle, who begins his journey north of the border on August 28, said: "I have no set goals in the amount of miles I must cover.

"My direction may be determined by the toss of a coin or the roll of a dice.

"I may even let people following my adventures have a say in it.

"But I am determined to raise money for Martin's family to help with everyday expenses.

"He is making a slow-but-sure recovery and still remains in hospital."

At the time of the incident – which brought the game to a permanent halt for the first time in living memory when it was realised the seriousness of the long-serving official's condition – the new Ball Game committee launched a JustGiving page which eventually raised £5,265.

A couple of weeks ago the fund was closed and the money raised hand over to Mr Kellegher-Brown's wife.

The dramatic events of that February day led to a plea to find a way to give financial assistance to a volunteer medical team who helped save the steward's life being answered.

In May, North Warwickshire First Responders received £2,000 in discretionary grants for its "sterling work" in supporting the community during the coronavirus crisis.

The work of the body was highlighted in its swift and crucial action in the critical treatment of the stricken steward after he was taken ill.

The medical support was first on the scene before paramedics arrived – attending to the 38-year-old inside the ball game headquarters at Connie Club. He was revived twice before airlifted to Coventry's Walsgrave Hospital.

In March, Atherstone North Councillor Ray Jarvis revealed the responders were so reliant on outside funding they "even have to fund a plaster they put on your finger".